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10 Places Retirees Are Picking Over Florida and Arizona (#7 Is a Clever Option)

Driven by affordability, these retirement markets are the place to be in 2026.

By Josh Koebert , Edited by Laura Hohenstein

Updated May 27, 2026

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Florida and Arizona still dominate retirement conversations, but the latest migration data shows retirees are spreading out across the country instead of flocking to just two states. Rising insurance costs, housing prices, and extreme weather are prompting many older Americans to rethink traditional retirement plans.

According to a 2025 SmartAsset study using U.S. Census Bureau data, nearly 1 million Americans age 60 and older crossed state lines in 2023. HireAHelper also conducted a study in 2025, identifying the destinations where most seniors headed in 2025.

While Florida and Arizona still rank near the top, 10 other states are seeing major inflows as seniors prioritize affordability, taxes, accessible health care, and long-term livability.

Editor's note: All cost-of-living data comes from BestPlaces.

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North Carolina

North Carolina ranked fifth in retiree migration in the latest HireAHelper study, gaining a net 17,231 residents age 65 and older in 2025. That was less than half of Florida's total, but still on par with Arizona.

The state attracts seniors seeking moderate weather, lower living costs than Florida, and a mix of beach towns, mountain communities, and mid-sized cities. Areas like Wilmington and Asheville are magnets for retirees fed up with the overcrowding and rising insurance costs affecting many Florida communities.

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Texas

Texas's lack of income tax remains a huge draw, especially for retirees relying on Social Security as their primary income. Cities like San Antonio and smaller Hill Country communities have the added advantage of warm weather and budget-friendly housing compared to many coastal retirement destinations.

Still, some seniors are beginning to weigh rising property taxes and insurance costs against those advantages, making Texas a more nuanced retirement choice than it once appeared. Despite that, its cost of living is 8% lower than the national average, so there's merit to giving it some thought.

South Carolina

Much like North Carolina, this southern state ranks highly in retiree migration. In 2025, it attracted 14,007 residents over 65.

Seniors are flocking to coastal communities like Myrtle Beach and Hilton Head, where living costs can still be lower than in many Florida beach towns or Arizona locations. The state's warm climate and low property taxes also make it attractive for retirees leaving higher-cost states in the Northeast.

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Georgia

Seniors who dread Florida's hurricane exposure and soaring insurance premiums have turned to Georgia as their retirement haven.

Smaller cities surrounding Atlanta and coastal communities near Savannah are seeing increased interest from the Northeast and Midwest. Georgia also boasts affordable housing compared to many traditional retirement hotspots.

Tennessee

Tennessee has been gaining momentum thanks to its lack of income tax and a cost of living that's 10% lower than the national average. The state is particularly attractive to retirees leaving expensive northern locations.

Cities like Chattanooga and Knoxville offer outdoor recreation, accessible health care, and lower home prices than many Sun Belt retirement markets. Compared to Arizona, Tennessee's greener scenery and four-season climate lure many seniors to the state.

Nevada

Las Vegas remains one of the country's biggest retiree magnets, having attracted 7,854 new residents 65 and older in 2025. The main reason is inexpensive housing. Besides, like Florida and Arizona, Nevada offers tax advantages, such as no income tax.

The state's entertainment options and active-adult communities are also big advantages if you enjoy a highly social lifestyle.

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Delaware

Overlook Delaware at your peril. Despite its small size, the state ranked tenth nationally for retiree migration with a net gain of 4,519 older residents in 2023, according to SmartAsset. That makes it the clever option on this list.

The appeal comes down to practicality. Delaware doesn't tax income and has moderate property taxes. If you choose it as your destination, you're in proximity to major East Coast health care hubs in Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Washington, D.C. Leaving New Jersey or New York? Delaware offers a quieter and often more affordable lifestyle while keeping family nearby.

Alabama

Alabama has become a rising retirement destination partly because seniors are increasingly priced out of Florida's Gulf Coast.

Communities along Alabama's coast, including Fairhope and Gulf Shores, are great for beach access and warm weather at significantly lower costs than many Florida or Arizona retirement communities. Alabama's overall cost of living is about 12% lower than the U.S. average.

Idaho

Do you prioritize outdoor recreation, scenic surroundings, and wide open spaces? Idaho is the place for you. Boise and surrounding communities have become especially popular among those relocating from California and the Pacific Northwest.

Although housing costs have risen in recent years, many seniors consider Idaho more inexpensive and less crowded than larger Western states.

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New Hampshire

New Hampshire may not attract the same numbers as Sun Belt states, but it is consistently at the top of lists for quality of life and financial stability. A 2026 CareScout report ranked it second in the nation's top retirement states.

The state's lack of general sales tax and low crime rates are music to the ears of retirees seeking long-term stability over warm weather. For many in the Northeast, New Hampshire offers scenic small-town living and access to major New England health care hubs.

Bottom line

Florida and Arizona are still major magnets for a stress-free retirement, but they're no longer the only two states in the running. Seniors are increasingly spreading across the South, Mountain West, and Mid-Atlantic in search of affordability, tax advantages, and a more sustainable long-term lifestyle.

Delaware may be the smartest under-the-radar pick on the list. It combines tax advantages, accessible health care, and East Coast convenience without many of the rising costs and climate risks pushing retirees away from traditional retirement hotspots.

Before choosing a retirement destination, consider the total cost of aging, including property taxes, homeowners' insurance, and long-term care. In many cases, the "cheapest" state on paper isn't the most affordable once all expenses are factored in.

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